Martin Brundle Backs Verstappen to Leave Red Bull, Citing Hamilton's Reset

Martin Brundle has backed Max Verstappen to leave Red Bull and pursue a "fresh challenge," though the Sky Sports commentator admits the four-time world champion faces a shrinking market of viable alternatives. With Red Bull no longer dominating the championship fight, Verstappen's potential departure is gaining traction, yet every front-running team on the grid appears locked into their current driver lineups.

Why it matters:

Verstappen has raced for Red Bull since his shock promotion in 2016, amassing 71 grand prix victories and four consecutive titles. Brundle drew a direct parallel to Lewis Hamilton, who left Mercedes after over a decade to "reset" with Ferrari. Such a move could redefine the competitive order, but only if a competitive seat actually opens.

The details:

• Brundle told Sky Sports F1 that Verstappen will likely depart "whether it's 2027 or 2028" to find something new, using Hamilton's career shift as a blueprint for refreshing a legacy after a long tenure.
• The Dutchman can reportedly trigger an exit clause in his contract if he sits outside the top two in the standings by the summer break, adding urgency to the speculation.
• Mercedes has committed to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, while McLaren has shut down any possibility of signing Verstappen for the foreseeable future.
• Ferrari represents the most romantic option, but the Scuderia recently extended Charles Leclerc and confirmed Lewis Hamilton through 2027, leaving no room at Maranello.

What's next:

Verstappen's faith in Red Bull's fledgling Ford power unit project may ultimately determine his fate more than any exit clause. With the top three rivals unwilling to disrupt their established pairings, the champion may have no choice but to honor his deal until 2028—or hope a contractual window opens elsewhere.